According to Somers, the Cardinals have also had positive discussions with free agent OLB Chandler Jones but a deal is not considered imminent at this point in time.

Arizona has made it clear that they will franchise Jones in the coming weeks if needed. However, one report recently mentioned that they would do so with the intention of continuing to work on a long-term deal.

Jefferson, 25, wound up signing on with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma back in 2013. He returned to the Cardinals on a one-year, $1.671 million restricted tender last April.

He’s now in position to be an unrestricted free agent in the coming weeks.

In 2016, Jefferson appeared in 15 games for the Cardinals and recorded 96 tackles, two sacks, two recoveries, two forced fumbles and five pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 5 safety out of 89 qualifying players.

Jones, 26, is a former first-round pick of the Patriots back in 2012. He played out his four-year, $8.173 million contract before the Patriots picked up his fifth-year option back in April of 2015.

The Patriots elected to trade Jones to the Cardinals during the offseason for G Jonathan Cooper and a 2016 second-round pick. Jones will an unrestricted free agent next year.

In 2016, Jones appeared in all 16 games and recorded 49 tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three pass defenses for the Cardinals. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 7 edge rusher out of 109 qualifying players.